Bench fuels La Salle past Letran to book Filoil preseason semis ticket
La Salle’s Kevin Quiambao and Mark Nonoy. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—La Salle’s bench mob powered the Green Archers to a dominant 101-79 victory over Letran in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup quarter finals at San Juan Arena on Friday.
After building a 52-45 advantage at the half, coach Topex Robinson brought out his reinforcements to pull away in the third quarter and boot the Knights out of preseason title contention.
“They know that they’ll be given a chance to play and nobody gets left behind,” Robinson said.
“You have to give them the opportunity to really showcase their talents. They have it in them, it’s just a matter of giving them the opportunity.”
The Green Archers bench tallied 68 points, compared to just 30 from the defending NCAA champions.
Kevin Quiambao kept up his stellar preseason run with 23 points, six rebounds and two assists while Mark Nonoy registered 18 points built on four made triples.
Kurt Reyson was the high-point man for the Knights with a near double-double of 17 markers and eight assists. Kobe Monje, meanwhile, had 11 to his name in a losing effort.
The Green Archers set up a semis affair with National University on Monday. The Bulldogs advanced to the semis after snagging an 88-72 win over College of St. Benilde on Wednesday.
